What happened to the shiny nickel revolver???

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dandyrandy

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1960's Nickel Chiefs Special... My first revolver.

1969 Nickel Model 30-1

When I was a kid and heard the words Smith and Wesson or thirty eight in the movies the gun that popped in my head were the shiny chrome plated clean and mean revolvers. The only S&W revolvers that I know of in a shiny nickel finish are the older ones. Both of these revolvers of mine were made way before I was born some time in the late 1960's. So my question is why are these shiny little gems no longer made? The shiny finish seems to hold up better than the painted guns of today so whats the deal? There was some nickel guns done by Smith and Wesson later on but they were more of a dull matte nickel finish. Im guessing S&W no longer makes shiny nickel guns because they dont want to pay someone to do a long meticulous fluff and buff job on the guns but like I said Im only guessing? Anybody??? Thanks!
 
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Stainless steel proved more popular, with the shiny fans polishing their own guns.
[ame]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DlA4NKuOnXc[/ame]

Geoff
Who polished up a Ruger Single-six in .22LR/.22Magnum and traded it off on a Ruger MK II, T-514.
 
Since the real reason for nickel was corrosion resistance, pretty was secondary I would imagine, I suspect that market went to stainless.

Nickel plating also uses a lot of harsh chemicals that the EPA frowns on I understand.
 
Here's one

Model 21-4 in .44 Special from 2005. It's very shiny! I ended up putting some round to square conversion stocks on it, 'cause even with the Tyler adapter, the tiny magna grips were a pain. Fantastic shooter.
 

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EPA is the correct answer.

Plating creates too many toxic chemicals,that require expensive handling.
As time goes by,the shops disappear.Plastic car trim has certainly eliminated demand for their services as well.
 
Nickel requires more careful cleaning techniques. I read a small article in American Rifleman years ago, a shooter let his cylinder soak in Hoppe's-it took the nickel off.
I have 2-a 4" S&W M-27 and a Colt Old Model Detective Special. I got them at very good prices-that was their appreal.
 
I polish all different finishes, blue, stainless and nickel. I perfer the nickel finishes first. They manufactured less revolvers in the world famous s&w nickel finishes. Plus the only one I see available now is the s&w m29-10:44mag with a 4" barrel.

Blue is cool, stainless is better, but the s&w nickel finish is freaking awesome. When your in a pickle and don't know what to choose go with the world famous s&w nickel finish guns.
 
For a dull nickel finish I use the simi chrome polish to revive it. Then next time a fritz or never dull to keep it shiney.

Do not throw away the used soft rags with the simi chrome polish I do my blued guns with that to revive that deep blue finish.
 
I'm like others, I prefer blue and wood, but somehow 7 nickel guns snuck into my safe.
 
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